An information processing apparatus includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit for receiving light output from the light emitting unit, and includes a detection unit for outputting a light reception signal indicating that the light receiving unit has received light from the light emitting unit, a driving signal output unit for outputting a driving signal to the detection unit so that the light emitting unit intermittently outputs light, a detection signal output unit for outputting, based on the output driving signal and the output light reception signal, a detection signal indicating whether an object exists between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit, and a control unit including an interrupt port to which the output detection signal is input and for returning from a power saving state in response to the detection signal being input to the interrupt port in the power saving state.
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1. An information processing apparatus comprising: a scanner unit which reads an original; a signal output circuit which outputs a pulse signal; a light emitting element which outputs a light if the pulse signal is in a first state and does not output the light if the pulse signal is in a second state; a light receiving element which outputs a light reception signal based on receiving the light from the light emitting element, the light output from the light emitting element is blocked or transmitted by setting the original to be read by the scanner unit; a processor, which includes a predetermined port and is able to be put into a first processor state and a second processor state, shifts from the second processor state to the first processor state when a predetermined voltage signal is input to the predetermined port, wherein the first processor state is a state in which power supply to the scanner unit is controllable, and the second processor state is a state in which power supply to the scanner unit is uncontrollable; and a detection signal output circuit which receives the pulse signal and the light reception signal and outputs, based on the pulse signal and the light reception signal, a detection signal which is the predetermined voltage signal, wherein, in response to an input of the detection signal to the predetermined port from the detection signal output circuit, the processor shifts from the second power state to the first power state and controls the power supply to the scanner unit to enable the scanner unit to operate.
The information processing apparatus, like a scanner, includes a light emitter (LED) and a light receiver (photodiode). A pulse signal controls the LED, turning it on and off. When an original document is placed for scanning, it blocks the light path between the LED and photodiode. The photodiode outputs a signal based on whether it receives light. A processor manages the scanner's power, having a "power saving" (uncontrollable power) and "active" (controllable power) state. A detection circuit monitors both the LED's pulse signal and the photodiode's output. If the photodiode detects a change (indicating an object is present), the detection circuit sends a voltage signal to the processor, waking it from the power saving state and enabling scanner operation by controlling its power supply.
2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a photointerrupter which includes the light emitting element and the light receiving element.
The information processing apparatus, as described previously, using a light emitter (LED) and a light receiver (photodiode) along with a scanner, further integrates these components into a single "photointerrupter" device. This photointerrupter combines the LED and photodiode into a single unit, simplifying the design and alignment. The photointerrupter is positioned such that placing an original document for scanning blocks the light path between the LED and photodiode, triggering the system to wake from its power saving state and enable the scanner, as defined in the apparatus which uses a detection circuit to monitor pulses and light.
3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the light emitting element and the light receiving element are disposed in such a manner that, in a case where light is output from the light emitting element to the light receiving element, the light output from the light emitting element to the light receiving element is blocked by setting the original to be read by the scanner unit.
The information processing apparatus, as described previously, uses a light emitter (LED) and a light receiver (photodiode) along with a scanner. The physical arrangement of the LED and photodiode is key. They are positioned so that when an original document is placed for scanning, it *physically obstructs* the light beam from the LED reaching the photodiode. This light blockage is what triggers the system to detect the presence of the document and wake from its power saving state, ultimately enabling the scanner. This relies on the detection circuit monitoring pulses and light.
4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the detection signal output circuit is a latch circuit for latching a state of the light reception signal at a timing at which a state of the pulse signal changes, and wherein the latch circuit outputs, to the processor, the latched state of the light reception signal as the detection signal.
In the information processing apparatus described, using a light emitter (LED) and a light receiver (photodiode) alongside a scanner, the "detection signal output circuit" which wakes up the processor is implemented as a latch circuit. This latch circuit captures the state of the photodiode's output signal (light received or not) *at the precise moment* when the LED's pulse signal changes (e.g., turns on or off). This captured state (light blocked or not) is then sent as the "detection signal" to the processor, triggering the transition from the power saving state to the active state and enabling scanner power control. The pulse and the light determine the signal sent to the processor.
5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein, when the processor returns from the power saving state, the processor refers to a state of the detection signal and then performs return processing of setting the scanner unit into an original readable state.
In the information processing apparatus described, using a light emitter (LED) and a light receiver (photodiode) alongside a scanner, when the processor is returning from the power saving state, it first checks the state of the "detection signal" (light blocked or not). Based on this signal, the processor then performs the necessary setup steps to prepare the scanner for operation. This "return processing" might involve initializing the scanner's components, calibrating sensors, or moving the scanning head to its starting position, ensuring the scanner is in a ready-to-scan state. It is based on the signal produced by the pulse and the light.
6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein, before shifting to the power saving state, the processor sets a cycle and a duty rate of the pulse signal to be output from the signal output circuit, and wherein the signal output circuit outputs the pulse signal at the cycle and the duty rate set by the processor.
In the information processing apparatus described, using a light emitter (LED) and a light receiver (photodiode) alongside a scanner, *before* the processor enters the power saving state, it configures the pulse signal that drives the LED. Specifically, the processor sets both the *cycle* (frequency) and the *duty rate* (percentage of time the LED is on) of the pulse. The pulse signal output circuit then generates the pulse signal according to these configured parameters. This allows the system to optimize the power consumption and detection sensitivity before entering the power saving state. The duty rate can change based on different documents.
7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a light block member which blocks the light output from the light emitting element by setting the original to be read by the scanner unit.
The information processing apparatus, which contains a scanner, a light emitting element (LED), and a light receiving element (photodiode), also includes a physical "light block member." This component is specifically designed to obstruct the light emitted by the LED when an original document is placed for scanning. This ensures reliable light blockage, supplementing the document's own opacity, and guaranteeing the photodiode registers a change in light reception, triggering the system to wake from the power saving state and enable scanner operation, which involves pulse and light detection as well.
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February 27, 2015
August 22, 2017
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